John Deere Settles Right to Repair Lawsuit for $99M

Key Details John Deere has agreed to pay $99 million to settle a 2022 class action lawsuit over alleged monopolization of repair services. The settlement, announced April 6, still requires final court approval and would compensate farmers who paid for repairs between January 2018 and the preliminary approval date. What Was at Stake Plaintiffs accused Deere of withholding repair software and conspiring with authorized dealers to force farmers into using their services at inflated prices. The company allegedly prevented independent repairs and third-party service options, creating what the lawsuit called an 'unlawfully restrained' market. Deere's Position The manufacturer continues to deny wrongdoing but agreed to settle to 'move forward and remain focused on what matters most - serving our customers,' according to company leadership. Beyond financial compensation, Deere committed to strengthening repair resource availability and diagnostic access. Why It Matters This settlement reflects ongoing pressure across industries around right to repair issues. Deere still faces separate FTC litigation filed in January 2025, alleging unfair repair practices that have driven up equipment costs for farmers and prevented timely repairs. The broader right to repair movement continues gaining momentum in agriculture, smartphones, gaming consoles, and other sectors where manufacturers have restricted independent service options.